Christmas Cut-Out Cookies Recipe

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the anise extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Mix until just blended. Over-mixing will result in tough cookies.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies at least one inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 to 15 minutes or until firm. Cookie will not turn a golden brown. If they do, they're over-done. Turn out onto rack to cool. Wait until cool if frosting.

Reviews (13)

LITTLE ELF

Dec. 20, 2003

"We are very disappointed with this recipe, no taste very bland. Does not matter how you try to improve this recipe, still no taste...." See more"

Christine

Dec. 8, 2006

"Guess people didn't read what they were making!! These are CUT OUT cookies NOT Sugar cookies. My family has made these for year at least 5 generations. I love them along with everyone else. I can't..." See more eat frosting so I am one of the few who eat them plain. But we usually frost and decorate most of them and everyone else eats them and loves them. Our recipe I think has a 1/2c sugar in it too though, so maybe for the one's who want a little more to it and 1/2c sugar too. But these are more like a tea biscuit, not sugar cookie, so do NOT expect sugar cookie. But my family makes these for every holiday (we have hundreds of cookie cutters) and for our birthdays every year my mom makes us these instead of cakes (of course no frosting on mine!!) YUM!! Great for dipping in coffee, tea or milk or hot coco if you do not frost them. (P.S. frost the flat back side for easier decorating and use the frosting mix of just milk and powder sugar add food coloring)."

Sandy

Dec. 23, 2006

"I had been looking for a recipe for anise cut-out cookies. I remember my grandmother making them at Christmas when I was little and they were so good. They were different from all the other cookies we..." See more had and grandma was the only one in the family to make them. I have her old cookie cutters but her recipe can't be found. I tried this recipe and found it to be very close to hers. The cookies were very good but I think I'll add a little more anise next time. I remember helping my grandmother put the colored sugar sprinkles on the cookies just before they went into the oven so many years ago. I'm 57 and grandma has been gone for 4 years now. Thanks for sharing your recipe and bringing back those wonderful memories of grandma's cut-out anise cookies"

More Reviews